Tuesday, December 28, 2010

i would like to take this time to thank each and everyone who stop by and visit my blog. it has been an absolute blast to read all your comments and all your equally amazing blogs. i have been humbled by your presence here and i strive to keep this blog continously fun and inspiring packed with beautiful pictures, more fun party ideas, tips, giveaways, home projects and more lovely things that keep life invigorating!

so to end the year, this blog will giveaway TWO sets of JONATHAN ADLER goodies! (International readers may join!)

# 1 gift J. ADLER tumblers (set of 6) and a set of sticky notes for WINNER # 1

TWO winners will be drawn via random.org to win one each giveaway prize. simply, leave a comment here (dont forget your email address - for non-blogger readers) and let me know what is your no. 1 resolution for 2011!

for additional entries (4 additional comments) :

i'll be honored
a) if you follow my blog via blogger/google
b) if you'd also "LIKE" us in facebook
c) if you'd also "FOLLOW" me in twitter
d) if you'd spread the love and share this giveaway via FB or twitter, i'd be delighted!

thank you all in advance for joining!

winners will be announced on monday, january 3rd 2011!
good luck and may you all have a fantastic new year's eve celebration!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

i hope you all had a great time with your loved ones and friends this past holiday break. our's was full of fun, food, laughter and yes, tons of gifts!

i am so lucky to have generous groovy family and friends and all my christmas presents rocks! guys, you know who you are and i thank you so much! we sure had a fabulous time sharing good tidings and joy and i am now excited for the new year to come and what it holds for us!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

i was in a blog giveaway winning streak last week and scored me the most adorable baby JESUS ornament from crafty sisters via paula'sblog giveaway. it very timely got in the mail today and is now perched on our tree. thank you so much for this lovely giveaway prize!

while trying to find the perfect spot for it, i got to lovingly look and inspect all our other special ornaments collected through the years. some new, some old - all are special and dear to our little family!

i am wishing one and all the merriest Christmas and a joyous blessed new year ahead!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

i am always excited when tracey lau puts together a special party tablescape whether for the holidays or not. she's been featured here before and i am super ecstatic to share this latest table she styled and prepared for a holiday office party. she had the sweetest treats for everyone which included peppermint crunch cake, macarons, chocolate bon bons, chocolate dipped cherries, croquembouche to name a few. check it out :

the simple wreath anchors the gorious holiday dessert table

clever wrapping of toblerone chocolate using ribbons and colored paper and plastic wrapper

Friday, December 17, 2010

i'm a little obsessed with orange lately. it must be the cold weather that makes me crave for something bright and cheery that this shade brings. here are a few accessories to add a punch of color to your dark fall wardrobe.

and of course, this incredible orange-themed birthday party dubbed little pumpkin first birthday featured by kelly of the party dress which she created the inspiration board for. for more party details and better pictures, read her post here.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

there is something really special about this family holiday dinner that paula of frog prince paperie not only hosted and styled but also cooked and baked the food menu herself. it is simply amazing. i'm not quite sure where to start but you'll see in a minute why. her blog post reminds us that family traditions and memories are what matters most and especially during the holiday season it is best spent to relish that over food and fellowship.

on to the party decor details ~ paula's family is from new orleans and it is but fitting to serve cajun flavors amidst a french-inspired tabletop and place settings. i love the fleur de lis accents, ivory candleholders, pewter cakestand, plates and platters. magnolia blooms and boxwood sprigs were added for a southern touch.

the menu

i like the ivory, cream, silver and aqua color palette. simply elegant!

paula even created the most darling chair back ruffle to add drama and charm to the already spectacular table! this is my favorite decor detail!

heirloom furniture such as the buffet and desk above were used to showcase desserts and appetizers

are you guys drooling yet? seriously, i just want to pack my bags and move to where she lives and i will be that annoying neighbor that hangs around her house everyday!

and the most important detail not to be missed ~ all the printable papergoods items used here are now available in her shop and the sale of this collection is to benefit the alzheimer's association. thank you paula for allowing me to share!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

i first admired this collection when it was featured in amy atlas a few weeks ago and i was smitten!

talented designer catherine of design editor recently opened her etsy store, print! by design editor. this collection includes a JOY banner, cupcake wrappers and toppers, favor wrappers, party circles and icons, labels and full sheet designs to complete all your party needs. lucky me, i hopped on to one of my favorite design blogs emily a. clark last week and found that she was having a blog giveaway and i won! yay!

this friday my little guy's class is having their christmas party and i'm planning to debut it there!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

i pretty much covered every mom, sister, bestfriend, sister-in-law, teacher and mother-in-law for the last of my gift guide series here. i did eight not four gift hints for a classy stylish lady out there. hope you find last minute tips here if you have not done all your christmas shopping yet!

Friday, December 10, 2010

i have been enjoying one week of eye candy via the party dress as the well-heeled hostess, kelly, hosted some of the industries' creative designers, bloggers, bakers and stylists to create their own personal holiday table display. it has been a delight to witness some of the most amazing holiday tables ever created and i look forward to read it everyday!

this friday, i have compiled all five inspiring tables she featured this week and hopefully you get to pick out some ideas for your own holiday party ~ i can't pick one favorite!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

i am sure every weekend leading to christmas day has you booked for a holiday party or two. restaurants and hotel ballrooms are booked months in advance and if you are a bride trying to book a wedding reception in december, good luck on that. attending holiday parties is the perfect excuse to dress up all fancy and glam for at least once a year.

here are a few fun looks that i think would work for a formal dinner (long black dress) and cocktails (short sparkly number) or for an after-hours corporate holiday party (jewel-toned green dress) and a fabulous girls night out soiree (red minidress)!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

still on our holiday gift guide series, the tweens age group is very interesting. they are not quite sophisticated teenagers yet but they are no longer the kiddos that they were a few years ago. check out these 4 things that they may like - hopefully you as parents won't get the dreaded pout!

Monday, December 6, 2010

i don't know about you but i always buy my husband's gift last. unless he's already specifically told me what he wants, i always draw a blank getting ideas on what to get him. here's my little list that will hopefully guide you on that last-minute trip to the mall in getting that man the perfect gift!

i apologize for failing to add links to my previous "my holiday wishlist" post. that day we were heading out to Disneyworld and i was blogging and rushing and i was getting mixed signals from blogger and i thought i linked up all my pics but apparently didn't, so here it is again :

Friday, December 3, 2010

we are a few weeks away from christmas day and the hustle and bustle of the yuletide season is definitely in the air. traffic is getting worse, malls are crowded, holiday greeting cards are arriving in the mail ~ santa is almost here!

today's friday faves are some of the things i've been dreaming about. it's a short list and i know i've been a good girl, so i may end up receiving one of these. yay!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

the last of the turkey leftover is gone and with countless trips to the garage for more of the stored christmas decor, our tree is finally up. despite the presence of the little rascal (who still managed to break two ornaments with a flick of a finger), we succesfully decorated the house from top to bottom!

kudos to the efforts and help of my mother and sister (who was in town), now the other posing problem is taking it down - ha! in the meantime, we are enjoying the festive mood in our home and I'm loving the apple-pine-cinnamon scent of christmas in the air!

i am excited to use square fresh pine wreaths this year. it gave our front door a more rustic feel that matches it's medieval look!

the past years we've had our traditional red and gold tree and i've always wanted to try silver and gold. i've bought 4 boxes of silver ornaments from costco last year which i've never put up and i'm able to hang it out this time!

the leftover red ornaments that didnt make it to our tree, i added to the staircase banister, mantle and buffet table garlands. i guess our house is not completely gilded but adding the red touches made it more festive and "christmas-y"!

of course there's some technical issues involve (and im not talking about installing the christmas lights), ms. londen of sixty-fifth avenue posted about how difficult it is to take perfect photographs of the christmas tree and i echo her sentiments. i dislike taking pictures during the day because i believe the complete beauty of the tree shows with the speckled lights on at night. and oh boy, it is HARD to get the perfect shot (plus adding the fact that i'm using an archaic camera). oh well, i did try my best. this last shot captured a portion of the staircase banister and our formal dining room with its christmas lights glory!